This paper presents a series of optimization methods for finding fuel-optimal gravity-assist trajectories that use the practical solar electric propulsion with variable specific impulse. The fuel-optimal low-thrust gravity-assist trajectories are first solved using specific impulse as a control variable. An optimization method combining the particle swarm optimization and the indirect method is proposed to optimize the variable-specific-impulse gravity-assist low-thrust trajectories. Additionally, the modified logarithmic homotopy function is applied to serve as a gateway in variable-specific-impulse case. The algorithm for optimizing multiple-gravity-assist trajectories is also presented in this paper. Moreover, the experimental data of NASA’s Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) are employed in numerical simulations. Main-belt asteroids missions are given to substantiate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed methods.
Optimization of Variable-Specific-Impulse Gravity-Assist Trajectories
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 57 , 2 ; 291-299
2019-11-12
9 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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